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Rugby has always had its hard men. But there's a big difference between playing tough and playing dirty.
Some players made their names with huge tackles and fierce rivalries. Others took things a little too far.
We're talking punches, headbutts, eye-gouging and bans that left even the toughest fans shaking their heads.
And the strange thing? Some of these players were among the best in the world.
We've ranked 15 of rugby's most notorious offenders, from the occasional hothead to the serial troublemakers.
This is RUCK's opinion-based ranking, taking into account bans, serious incidents and disciplinary records.
Peter O'Mahony was the sort of player you loved having on your team. Playing against him? Not so much.
The former Ireland captain made a career out of getting under opponents' skin.
He was never afraid of a scrap and loved the dark arts of the breakdown.
His fiery side occasionally got him into trouble.
In 2021, he became the first Ireland player sent off in the Six Nations. A reckless clear-out on Wales prop Tomas Francis earned him a three-match ban.
A brilliant back-rower, but certainly no angel.
Farrell has never been one to shy away from contact.
The former England captain has faced plenty of criticism for his tackling technique.
His high shots have also led to disciplinary trouble, including a red card against Wales in 2023.
A brilliant player, but one whose tackling has sparked more than a few arguments.
Haouas has had some costly moments in a France shirt.
He was sent off for punching Scotland's Jamie Ritchie during the 2020 Six Nations.
Three years later, another red card against Scotland added to his disciplinary record.
Two trips to the changing room that his teammates could have done without.
Few players fancied tackling Tuilagi when he got up to full speed.
The former Leicester winger was an absolute wrecking ball.
But his physical approach also brought disciplinary problems, including red cards during his career.
A nightmare to defend against. Occasionally a nightmare for referees, too.
Hines was an old-school second-row forward.
He loved the physical side of rugby and rarely took a backward step.
The former Scotland and Lions lock was a master of getting under opponents' skin.
Not the sort of bloke you'd fancy annoying at a breakdown.
They called him The Chiropractor.
That tells you just about everything you need to know.
Lima became famous for his fearsome tackles. Although being a huge hitter doesn't automatically make someone dirty.
His disciplinary record, including a suspension at the 2007 World Cup, gives this selection more substance.
Burger was one of the finest flankers of his generation.
He was also responsible for one of the ugliest moments of the 2009 Lions tour.
The Springboks star was banned for eight weeks after an eye-gouging incident involving Luke Fitzgerald.
It happened in the opening minute of the second Test.
A truly dreadful moment from a truly brilliant player.
Grewcock was never likely to win a popularity contest with opposition forwards.
The former England and Lions lock collected bans for a range of offences during his career.
They included biting, punching, kicking and stamping.
He was a superb player when he kept his temper in check.
Unfortunately, that wasn't always the case.
Lavanini has made a habit of seeing red.
The giant Argentina lock became the first player to receive three red cards in men's Test rugby.
His tackling technique has repeatedly landed him in trouble.
A fierce competitor, but his disciplinary record speaks for itself.
Loe was one of rugby's great enforcers.
The All Blacks prop was feared for his aggressive approach. But his career also featured serious foul play.
In 1992, he received a 26-week suspension for an eye-gouging incident involving Greg Cooper.
That goes well beyond being a hard man.
Attoub's place comes down to one particularly nasty incident.
The Stade Français prop received a 70-week ban following an eye-gouging offence against Ulster's Stephen Ferris in 2009.
The suspension was later reduced to 52 weeks.
Even by rugby's standards, that was an extraordinary punishment.
Etzebeth is one of the most imposing players rugby has ever seen.
The Springbok giant has built his reputation on huge tackles, physical battles and refusing to back down.
But there is a difference between intimidation and foul play.
His disciplinary record includes a 12-match ban following an eye-contact incident against Wales in 2025.
A magnificent lock, but not a player who has avoided controversy.
Where do you even start?
Hartley captained England to a Grand Slam and enjoyed a superb international career.
But the former Northampton hooker's disciplinary record was remarkable.
He received bans for eye-gouging, biting, striking and abusing a referee.
In 2013, an 11-week suspension cost him a place on the Lions tour.
Two years later, another ban saw him dropped from England's World Cup squad.
You could fill an entire article with his disciplinary hearings.
One incident puts Clark near the very top.
In 2012, the Northampton flanker was banned for 32 weeks after an incident involving Leicester hooker Rob Hawkins.
Hawkins suffered a broken elbow that required surgery.
Clark's actions were widely condemned, and the lengthy suspension reflected the seriousness of the offence.
Some incidents are difficult to forget. This was one of them.
Was there ever really going to be anyone else?
Botha was a brilliant second-row forward and a key part of South Africa's 2007 World Cup-winning side.
He was also one of rugby's most notorious enforcers.
The Springbok collected bans for striking, dangerous clear-outs and a headbutt on All Blacks scrum-half Jimmy Cowan.
That last incident earned him a nine-week suspension in 2010.
Botha could dominate a match through sheer physical force. But there were times when he crossed the line.
For RUCK, his combination of repeated offences and a fearsome reputation puts him at number one.
Is Bakkies Botha the dirtiest rugby player of all time? Or should Dylan Hartley, Calum Clark or someone else take top spot?
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